Artists Statement
I begin at the convergence of reality and imagination. Memories, are elusive and eternal, residing in a realm that defies linear time. Through portraying children—siblings and cousins—I revive my cherished childhood memories. During those formative years, my perception, thoughts, and play unfolded in ways distinct to that time. Today, I embrace a new form of play.
Photography, with its fixed temporality, serves as a starting point to navigate between past and present. It is here that fusion takes shape, becoming my new realm of play. Memories materialize through photographs, tangible resources that mediate my personal archives. The painted scenes are characterized by multi-layered surfaces, seamlessly merging the spatial reality captured in the photographs with the organizing principle of memory, one steeped in personal significance, that rises on the painted surface.
Infused with the joyful spirit of childhood, I strive to maintain this optimistic atmosphere in my artwork. The canvas breathes with vibrant color, encapsulating the integrity of the photographs whilst seamlessly transitioning into the expressive language of painting. Memory's aura surpasses realism, guiding my artistic process.
Figure and environment hold equal significance. This democratic application of paint reflects the ongoing search and placement of memories within the scene itself as I craft its composition. I aim not only to recollect but to create an ideal surface for the stage of memory to unfold.
In essence, my body of work transcends individual paintings, forming an iterative exploration of lived memories. Through interplay and cohesion, this series pays homage to the joyous scenes of familial traditions from my childhood.